New York is famous for its great wine lists, innovative cocktails, and even its exceptional drinking water. Yet, NYC has always had a thriving brewing culture, and now ranks as one of the top beer destinations in the country.
Ale was a nutritional staple during the Revolutionary War when a canny local brewer sold his wares to both sides. Half a century later, European immigrants brought their lager expertise to the city. Some of their beer halls survived Prohibition and are still serving today.
There are approximately 165 craft breweries in New York State, and a dozen of them call NYC home. Some brewers even grow their hops in community gardens dotted around the city. One of the pioneers—Heartland Brewery—has been crafting its beer locally since 1995 and now serves it with delicious food in four locations around the city. One of them is HB Burger, with a menu focused on their much-heralded specialty burgers and sandwiches in addition to their tasty brews. All members of the Heartland family offer six house specialties ranging from pale ale to oatmeal stout, and seasonal selections that rotate throughout the year.
If you are partial to traditional German beer—and food—then make sure to visit Hallo Berlin on 10th Ave between 44th and 45th. With a motto of “New York’s best wurst restaurant,” you’ve got to try one of the 10 sausages, each named after a German automobile. Wash down the wurst with a draft beer pulled into glasses ranging from a small mug to a 2 liter boot. This is also a great place to learn about German schnapps, with 10 different flavors to sample. The warm, inviting atmosphere will likely keep you there an hour or two longer than you expected.
For a deep dive into Belgian beers, visit Resto (111 East 29th St.). The vast selection of Belgian imports – mostly bottled – is augmented with Belgian-style brews from New York and Maine. The elevated gastro-pub cuisine is a vegan’s nightmare, but nose to tail eaters will be delighted.
The Blind Tiger (281 Bleecker St.), describes itself as a gallery showcasing the brewers art, likening some to Van Gogh (driven and perhaps mad) and others to Picasso (evangelistic game changers). The 28 taps and dozens of bottled selections are carefully curated, the staff is knowledgeable, and beer appreciation continues until 4 am every night.
The Beer Bar is a refuge from the hustle and bustle of midtown in the MetLife Building at Park Ave. and 45th St. Large format bottles and cans are a specialty here, as part of a carefully chosen selection of beers from around the world. The Beer Bar is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, with a unique perk—deep discounts on parking at One Parking, (200 Park Ave.).
Beer Culture (328 W. 45th St.), is both a bar and bottle store with an estimated 500 different beers, including a dozen or so on draft. The coolers are organized geographically so you can easily explore a region, and the low key, vintage atmosphere invites you to linger. You’re guaranteed to meet neighborhood locals, who stop by for a brat or a few bottles to go.
Rattle n Hum Craft Beer Bar (14 E. 33rd St.), offers a staggering 40 taps, 100 bottles, a handful of cans, and a cask. A draft list is printed daily, and with a beer flight, you can sample four at a time. Visit between noon and 7 pm on weekdays for beer and food specials. Sister locations include Beer Authority, which as the name implies is located near the Port Authority Bus Terminal (300 W. 40th St.); and Barleycorn in TriBeCa (23 Park Pl.). All the siblings share a huge selection of craft beers, beer-friendly food, and a good time vibe.
All this, plus hundreds of more options, make NYC one of the premier cities for beer lovers of all kind. Now that's worth raising a glass to.
